10-14-81 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES City Council October 14, 19II1 Gene Delonais asked if the cable would be underground or overhead. Mr. Tarnowski replied that it depended on who was chosen. However, in areas aihere uti1ities are underground, the cable would be underground. Mrs. Sca7ze asked how long it would be before Little Canada actually got service. Mr. Tarnowski replied that by this time next year areas of the Gity would have cable TV. Mr. Tarnowski stated that cable TV would cost the company about $24,000,000 which would be amortized over a seven year period. Mrs. Freeman asked if the portion of Vadnais Neights on Little Canada's side of the freeway would be picked up for cable with Little Canada. Mr. Tarnowski statecl that this could be considered. The City Clerk asked what is meant by tier of service. Mr. Tarnowski replied that tier one would be universal service and at no cost. Each tier would represent additional channels and it is up to tPie City to determine how many tiers they are interested in receiving. The higher the number of channels, the higher the cost. There wi11 also be the capability of receiving Home Box Office and Show Time movie channels. These may cost in the neighborhood of $7.95 per month. In most cases these would be provided in the second or third tier. About 12 channels will be provided in the universa1 tier of service. It is estimated that 85% of the people will take two tiers of service. Mrs. Nardini asked how often rate increases would be applied for. Mr. Tarnowski stated that most companies have proposed a period of two years before the first increase would be app1ied for. P4ayor Hanson asked if there would be any revenue to the City. Mr. Tarnowski stated that there would be no revenue to the City, and it would not cost the City anything either. The commission has requested a 5% charge to the company and the commission has not determined how that money would be used. P~r. LeMay asked about maintenance on the home unit. Mr. Tarnowski stated that the company will be responsible for the system up to the device that will be installed on the back of TV's. There will also be 24-hour service provided. Mr. Tarnowski stated that if someone does not want cable TV and their service is removed and then changes their mind and wants it again, there will be a$10 charge for rehook-up. Employee Mrs. Annette Freeman appeared before the Council and informed them Vacation that she checked with the Flttorney General's office and was informed Policy that the City cannot take away or lessen the benefits of City employees once they had been granted. Mrs. Freeman was referring to the Council's recently changing the vacation policy for employees by changing it from ten Years of service for four Weeks vacation t~ four weeks vacation af'ter fifteen years of service. Mr. Gene Delonais stated that in private business benefits were usually not taken away once they had been granted. Page -7-